Work

Proving Domestic Violence as Gender Structural Discrimination before the European Court of Human Rights

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Since Opuz v. Turkey (2009), the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered over a dozen judgments in which it examined domestic violence through the prism of gender-based discrimination. Apart from the individual circumstances of the cases, the Court considered the general approach to domestic violence in the defendant states, searching for a large-scale structural gender bias. Hence, although the Court has not directly referred to the notion of “structural discrimination” in relation to domestic violence, it engaged in unveiling this problem within the state parties. Building on the case law of the Court, the article presents and systemizes information that may prove structural gender discrimination in domestic violence cases. It navigates potential applicants through the Court’s interpretation and indicates arguments and sources that may support their claims. In particular, it discusses what kind of data and information may demonstrate the general, discriminatory attitude of the authorities towards domestic violence and what sources the applicants may use while seeking the evidence.

Source: International Journal for the Semiotics of Law - Revue internationale de Sémiotique juridique

DOI: 10.1007/s11196-024-10148-w

Author: Katarzyna Sękowska-Kozłowska

Institutions: Instytut Nauk Prawnych, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Discrimination and Equality Law

Subfield: Law

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,990